Apparatus for cleaning pipes and the like



June 26, 1956 P. E. PE TlT 2,751,728

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING PIPES AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 14, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ll u, 47 -11 ll l INVENTOR PAUL EUGENE PETIT BMW ATTORNEY June 26, 1956 P. E; PETlT 2,751,728

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING PIPES AND THE LIKE Filed Sept. 14, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNVENTOR pm. EUGENE PETlT ATTO RN EY United States Fatent O APPARATUS FOR CLEANING PIPES AND THE LIKE Paul Eugene Petit, Philadelphia, .Pa.

Application September 14, 1955, Serial No. 534,282

12 Claims. (Cl. 51-241) This invention relates generally to pipe cleaning machines and particularly to machines for removing scale, dirt or other foreign accumulation from the outer surface of a pipe, tube or other round.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a pipe cleaning machine which in operation is hung upon and supported by the pipe being cleaned through the medium of a pipe-engaging frame that is movable over said pipe lengthwise thereof while supported thereby.

Another principal object of the present invention is to provide such a machine having an endless abrasive belt that is suitably tensioned independently of the weight of the machine, and which is movable with the frame of the machine lengthwise of the pipe.

And another principal object of the present invention is to provide such a machine wherein the endless abrasive belt automatically adjusts to the size of the round to be cleaned and, when desired, is quickly and conveniently replaced with another belt.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such a machine which is light in weight and balanced for handling thereof by one person and which accelerates the cleaning process and at the same time affords superior results.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear more fully hereinafter, it being understood that the invention consists substantially in the combination, construction, location and relative arrangement of parts, all as described in detail hereinafter, as shown in the accompanying drawings and as finally pointed out in the appended claims.

in the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a machine constructed in accordance with and embodying the principles of the present invention, the machine being shown suspended from a pipe which is to be cleaned;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the machine shown in Figure l with guide rollers omitted;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section on line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the machine shown in Figure 1, looking at the rear, one side and the top of the machine; and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical section on line 5-5 of Figure 1.

In the embodiment of the pipe cleaning machine .illustrated, the framework of the machine has a rectangular box-like form. Disposed respectively at the four vertically extending corners of the framework are four upright angle bar members 11. Extending about the top of the framework between the angle bars 11 are a pair of flat bar members 12-12 and a pair of flat bar members 13-13, the flat bars 12-12 being disposed respectively between the pairs of angle bars at the front and rear of the framework while the flat bars 13-13 are disposed respectively between the pairs of angle bars at opposite sides of the framework. Beneath the flat bars 12-12 ice respectively are an additional pair of fiat bar members designated 14-14 that are located at the top of the framework, a short distance from the flat bars 12-12. Extending about the bottom of the framework between the angle bars 11 are a pair of flat bar members 15-15 and a pair of flat bar members 15'-15', the fiat bars 15-15 being disposed respectively between the pairs of angle bars at the front and rear of the framework while the fiat bars 1515 are disposed respectively between the pairs of angle bars at opposite sides of the framework. The several angle bars 11 and fiat bars 12, 13, 14, 15 and 15' are secured together, as by welding, to form a rigid open framework section designated by the numeral 16.

This framework section 16 carries another framework section designated generally by the numeral 17, which latter framework section comprises a pair of horizontally extending frame members 18-18 that respectively underlie the pairs of angle bars at the front and rear of the framework section 16. Extending between the members 18-18 is a motor-supporting bottom plate 19 disposed in underslung abutting relation to the members 18-18 and located centrally between the opposite sides of the framework section 16. For securing together the framework sections 16 and 17, the several angle bar members 11 are provided with threaded elements 20 that depend from the lower terminals thereof an which project freely through openings in the underlying portions of the members 18-18, the framework section 17 being seated upon and the Weight thereofbeing carried by wing nut assemblies 21 threaded on the elements 20.

For shiftably supporting the apparatus upon the tubular or solid round stock P which is to be surface cleaned, the framework section 16 is equipped with a set of four rollers 22. These rollers are arranged in the form of two similar assemblies of two rollers each, the rollers of each assembly being disposed with their axes inclined relatively to each other and lying in a plane extending substantially normal to the axis of the stock P to be cleaned, the two assemblies being respectively mounted as shown adjacent the front and rear ends of the framework 16. To this end, the rollers 22 are each carried by a rod 23 the opposite end portions of which are fixedly anchored respectively in the associated angle bar 11 and fiat bar 12 of said framework. The rollers 22 are mounted to rotate freely on the rods 23 and are suitably fixed against movement axially relative thereto. The axes of rotation of the rollers 22-22 respectively at the front and rear and on the same side of the framework are parallel to one another.

Extending horizontally fore and aft of the framework is a shaft 24 the opposite end portions of which are journalled respectively in a pair of axially alined bushings 25-25 that are pressed into corresponding portions of the timber sections 18-18 and which are provided with oil holes 25-25 in the walls thereof. The latter communicate with openings 26-26 respectively in the timber sections 18-18, through which openings the bushings may be lubricated. Mounted upon the shaft 24 is a main roller designated generally by the numeral 27, which roller comprises a tubular section 28 the opposite end portions of which respectively are provided with external flanges designated 29-29 and fitted over discs designated 30-30. The latter extend outwardly respectively beyond the flanges 29-29 and are provided with set screws 31-31 through the medium of which the roller 27 is detachably secured to the shaft 24. The roller 27 is located with the remote faces of the discs 30-30 in side abutting relation respectively to the timber sections 18-48, and the shaft 24 is located with one end portion thereof projecting forwardly beyond the 7 The inner surface of the belt 34 is coated with an abrasive material such as emery 'or the like, and thus the member 34 serves as a sanding belt to abrasively clean the surface of the stock P upon movement of the belt thereabout as the belt is driven by the roller 27. Preferably, the sur' face of the drive roller 27 is rubber coated or otherwise treated to notonly protect said roller against any such abrasive action of the sanding belt as might result in premature wear of the roller but also for development of the requisite traction between the belt and the roller to insure'positive substantially constant speed travel of the belt about the surface of the pipe undergoing cleaning.

For maintaining the belt 34 taut about its driving roller 27, the framework mounts a tensioning device designated generally by the numeral 35,. which tensioning device comprises a generally horizontally extending U-shaped frame formed of a pair of opposite side members 36-36 the corresponding outer ends of which are interconnected by a member 37. Projected through corresponding intermediate portions of the side members 36-36 is an axially fixed shaft 33 the opposite end portions of which are journalled in a pair of axially alined bearings 39-39 that are mounted upon corresponding end portions of the members 18-18. At the open end of the U-shaped belt-tensioning frame, that is, between the corresponding inner ends of its side members 36-36, is a roller 40 mounted to revolve freely. The member 37 is connected to the main framework of the apparatus by a tension spring 41, which acts to bias the U-shaped frame about the axis of the shaft 38 and the roller 40 into engagement with the outer surface of the abrasive belt 34. The size of the U-shaped frame is suitably restricted so that the roller-carrying end thereof may move freely between the opposite flanges 29-29 of the roller 27.

The belt 34 is fitted neatly between the flanges 29-29 of the roller 27, and, when the machine is in operation, on one side of the belt 34 the upper end portion of the belt is likewise fitted neatly between a pair of flanges 42-42 associated respectively with the opposite end portions of an axially fixed guide roller 43 that is carried by the flat bar members 14-14 of the framework. The roller 43 is positioned to engage the outer surface of the belt34 and is journalled in ball bearing units 4343 to revolve freely.

Disposed in underlying depending relation to the bottom plate 19 of the lower framework section 17 is an electric motor 44 that has a motor shaft 45 which mounts a pulley 46. The motor 44 is fastened to the bottom plate 19 by bolts designated 47,the bottom plate 19 being in turn suitably secured to the members 18-18 by bolts designated 47. Trained over the pulley 46 and additionally over the pulley 32 on the shaft 24 is a V-belt 48.

Referring particularly to Figure 1, it will be noted that when the machine is in use, the central axis of the work and the axes of rotation of the motor shaft 45 and of the shaft 24 lie in a common vertically extending median plane. Also, it will be observed, as best shown in Figure 2, that the motor 44 is located centrally between the front and rear of the machine, which favors a distribution of weight that promotes ease of handling.

In use of the machine, the round stock I to be surface-cleaned is suitably supported by any suitable means (not shown) to present a substantial length thereof in horizontally extending position, the machine being suspended on stock for movement lengthwise along the unrestricted portion of the supported stock. The stock P is, of course, normally positioned at a height sufiiciently above the ground to insure that the machine suspended thereon is free to be moved along the stock in either direction. Of course, the machine is operatively mounted upon the stock P by passing it over one end of the stock before that end is secured in position, which mounting is effected by slipping the stock beneath the rollers 22-22 of the machine and inside the upper closed end of the abrasive belt' 34. When the machine is so operatively mounted in position,.its weight is supported upon the stock P by the rollers 22-22 in engagement therewith. Any initial slack in the belt 34 maybe taken up by increasing, the length of the framework, which may be effected by turning down the wing nuts 21 on the threaded elements 20, whereupon the lower framework section 17 that mounts the main roller 27 is lowered to a' suitable elevation. The roller 40 of the belt tensioner 35 is automatically operative to tension the belt 34 as may be desired.

The initial condition of the machine may be such that when the machine is lowered upon the stock P, instead of the weight of the machine being transferred to the; pipe member through the medium of the rollers 22, the weight thereof is transferred to the stock through the medium of the abrasive belt 34 drawn taut so as to maintainthe rollers 22 raised out of contact with the stock to be cleaned. In this event, the length of the framework is reduced by threading the wing nuts 21 up on the threaded elements 20 at least a distance sufficient for lowering the upper'framework section 16 so that the rollers 22 carried thereby efiectively engage the stock and so support the machine without imposing any undue strain upon the abrasive belt 34.

The electric, motor 44 is connected in electric circuit (not shown) with a switch 49 conveniently located for operation by an operator standing on one side of the.

contact therewith. The abrasive belt 34 is secured against creeping axially along the stock by the flanges 42-42 of the guide roller 43 disposed respectively at the opposite side edges thereof.

When work on the upper slde of the pipe member is completed, the same may be rotated through 180 degrees to present the opposite side in position to be cleaned,

' this operation being effected without any necessity for demounting the machine or interrupting operation thereof. When work at one station orwzone of the stockis' completed, the machine is manually pushed lengthwise along the stock to an adjoining station or zone until the full length of thestock has been processed. During this movement from station to station, which is effected while the machine is in full operation, the machine travels on the rollers 22 and is guided by the stock in the manner of 34 and substituting therefor another belt, this maybe quickly and conveniently effected by the following procedure. After demounting the machine from the pipe member P,-the V-belt 48 is detached from the pulley 32, I

and the set screws 31-31 securing the main roller 27 to the shaft 24 are loosened, whereupon the shaft 24 is withdrawn. axially from the bushings 25-25 and the.

main roller 27. Now the latter and the abrasive belt 34 are free to be removed as a unit, and the abrasive belt 34 is free to be removed from the main roller 27 and replaced by a new belt. Of course, to reassemble the machine, the procedure just outlined is reversed.

It will be noted that the pipe cleaning machine of the present invention accommodates rounds that vary in size, and that the abrasive belt 34 is automatically adjusted as to effective length by the tensioner 35 so as to accommodate pipe members varying in diameter within limits. In addition, the framework of the machine is adapted to be made of materials that are light in weightaluminum, for example-so that the machine is inherently comparatively light in weight for easy and convenient handling.

Of course, the present invention as hereinbefore described and as shown in the accompanying drawings is susceptible of various changes and modifications which may be made from time to time without departing from the general principles or real spirit of the invention, and

accordingly, it is intended to claim the same broadly,

as well as specifically, as indicated by the appended claims.

What is claimed as new and useful is:

1. In a machine for cleaning the outer surface of a pipe, tubular or like member, framework means for suspension freely from said member supported in a horizontal position and for lateral shifting movement axially of said member, means revolubly carried by said framework means and disposed in underlying spaced relation to said member, an endless belt trained over said revoluble means and adapted to be additionally trained over said member with an inner abrasive surface thereof engaging the outer surface of said member, and means carried by said framework means for actuating said revoluble means and belt.

2. In a machine as defined in claim 1 wherein the framework means is equipped with antifriction revoluble means adapted for engagement with longitudinally spaced portions of and travel over the member to be cleaned.

3. In a machine as defined in claim 2 wherein the antifriction revoluble means adapted for engagement with longitudinally spaced portions of the member to be cleaned comprises a plurality of angularly related rollers adapted for overlying the member to be cleaned.

4. In a machine as defined in claim 1 wherein the framework means mounts a belt tightener device for automatically drawing the abrasive belt more or less tightly about the member to be cleaned and the revoluble member underlying the same.

5. In a machine for cleaning the outer surface of a pipe, tubular or like member, framework means for suspension freely from said member supported in a horizontal position and for lateral shifting movement axially of said member, means revolubly carried by said framework means and disposed in underlying spaced relation to said member, an endless belt trained over said revoluble means and adapted to be additionally trained over said member with an inner abrasive surface thereof engaging the outer surface of said member, means carried by said framework means for actuating said revoluble means and belt, and framework carried means for guiding the upper end of the abrasive belt and assuring movement thereof with said framework means when the latter is moved axially of the member to be cleaned.

6. In a machine as defined in claim 5 wherein the framework carried means comprises positionally fixed freely revoluble elements guidingly associated with the abrasive belt.

7. In a machine for cleaning the outer surface of a 7 pipe, tubular or like member, framework means for suspension freely from said member supported in a horizontal position and for lateral shifting movement axially of said member comprising upper and lower sections, means revolubly carried by the lower of said sections and disposed in underlying spaced relation to said member, an endless belt trained over said revoluble means and adapted to be trained over said member with an inner abrasive surface thereof engaging the outer surface of said member, and means carried by the lower of said sections for actuating said revoluble means and belt, said upper and lower framework means sections being adjustably secured together for varying the eifective lengths of said framework means and for thus controlling the initial slack in said belt.

8. In a machine as defined in claim 7 wherein the upper one of said framework means sections is equipped with positionally fixed antifriction revoluble means adapted for engagement with longitudinally spaced portions of and travel over the member to be cleaned.

9. In a machine for cleaning the outer surface of a pipe, tubular or like member, framework means for suspension freely from said member supported in a horizontal position and for lateral shifting movement axially of said member, means revolubly carried by said framework means and disposed in underlying spaced relation to said member, an endless belt, trained over said revoluble means and adapted to be additionally trained over said member with an inner abrasive surface thereof engaging the outer surface of said member, and means carried by said framework means for actuating said revoluble means and belt, said revoluble means being quick detachably secured to said framework means for removing said revoluble means and endless belt from said framework means as a unit and remounting the same as a unit, and additionally for disassembly and reassembly of said revoluble means and abrasive belt.

10. In a machine as defined in claim 9 wherein the revoluble means about which the abrasive belt is trained comprises a shaft the opposite end portions of which are journalled in said framework means, and a roller carried by said shaft for rotation therewith, said shaft and roller being secured together for detachment of said shaft from said framework means and roller by axial shifting movement thereof, whereupon said roller is freed for removal from said framework means.

11. In a machine for cleaning the outer surface of a pipe, tubular or like member, framework means for suspension freely from said member supported in a horizontal position and for lateral shifting movement axially of said member, means revolubly carried by said framework means and disposed in underlying spaced relation to said member, an endless belt trained over said revoluble means and adapted to be additionally trained over said member with an inner abrasive surface thereof engaging the outer surface of said member, and means carried by said framework means for actuating said revoluble means and belt, and disposed in underlying spaced relation to said revoluble means.

12. In a machine as defined in claim 11 wherein the means for actuating the revoluble means and abrasive belt comprises an electric motor substantially centrally located and depending from the bottom of the framework means, the axes of rotation of the motor shaft and said revoluble means being disposed in a common vertically extending median plane of the machine.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 395,720 Starr Jan. 8, 1889 1,972,316 Randolph Sept. 4, 1934 2,109,292 Hribar Feb. 22, 1938 

